Chapter 5143: Establishing Authority Editor: Misty Cloud Translations Blood spurted from his mouth, his entire body wilting as if deflated. Yet what shocked and horrified him more than his injuries was this: how could someone whose strength fell short of Monarch level defeat him? Impossible! This should never have happened! 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺 But the fact remained! He, a Monarch of his stature, had been defeated! And in a single, crushing blow! The shock and disbelief were not confined to him alone. They were shared by the Monarch who had stood by without intervening, the cultivators watching nearby, and the two Monarchs who had just returned from their assigned tasks! They had witnessed this scene unfold, each face etched with shock and incredulity. As for Leng Hua, the surging aura of spirit energy within him gradually receded. The Tai Chi diagram of the Two Instruments, conjured by his spirit energy, dissipated as if it had never appeared. His aura remained as gentle as ever, devoid of the sharp intensity present just moments before the fight. One hand resting before him, the other clasped behind his back, his crescent-moon-patterned robes draped over his shoulders, he stood silently observing the Monarch pinned to the rockery dozens of meters away by the Primordial Treasure Umbrella. He watched as crimson blood seeped from the wound, staining the front of his robe. Though the wound wasn’t fatal—it struck not the heart but the shoulder, just a fist’s width above it—its size was no trivial matter. The mark left by the Primordial Treasure Umbrella was substantial, making this injury anything but minor. Leng Hua observed him, his voice cool and detached. "This is merely a lesson. Should there be a next time, I shall take your life." As the words fell, he flicked his wrist. The Primordial Treasure Umbrella, which had pierced his shoulder and penetrated the rockery behind him, whistled through the air, returning swiftly to his grasp. "Ah!" Caught off guard by the sudden withdrawal of the Primordial Treasure Umbrella, Elder He, pinned to the rockery, plummeted downward. As he was about to crash to the ground, he desperately steadied himself, though he still staggered backward, leaning against the rockery to steady himself. Pressing a hand to his wound, blood seeped through his palm. He stared at Leng Hua, dozens of meters away. In that moment, cold sweat ran down his back, and a shiver shot up from his feet, piercing his heart. This fear, this overwhelming intimidation, made him realize: under the Phoenix Empress, there are no weak soldiers! "Yes!" He finally bowed his head in the direction of Leng Hua and responded. Leng Hua glanced at him, then swept her gaze over the surrounding crowd. Her voice carried out, cool and detached: "Remember this well: my orders are absolute! Anyone who disobeys will be executed on the spot!" His voice, starting soft and gentle, deepened to a low rumble. Especially the words "executed on the spot" carried a chilling aura of lethal intent that sent a shiver down everyone’s spine. Instinctively, they responded with reverence: "Yes!" At that very moment, two flashes of light burst forth from Leng Hua’s spatial pocket, landing beside him. Only then did the crowd recognize them as two Cloud Devouring Beasts. Moreover, these were the contract beasts of the Phoenix Empress. The Phoenix Empress’s contract beasts now followed Leng Hua. What did this signify? It was self-evident. Upon seeing the two Cloud Devouring Beasts, Elder He’s face turned ashen, fear flickering in his eyes. In that instant, he was consumed by endless regret. Why had he dared to provoke Leng Hua? "What are you standing there for?" Leng Hua frowned. Hearing his voice, Elder He snapped back to his senses. "Young Master Leng, I’ll carry out the task immediately." With that, he bowed slightly before swiftly departing.